Best bike racks for cars: Tow hitch, roof mount and trunk mount options to carry your bike by car

Thule bike rack on a car in the countryside
(Image credit: Thule)

Roof mounting means that your bike doesn't impinge on passenger and load-carrying space or your rear view. It won't obscure your licence plate either.

Using a rooftop bike carrier can be an issue for those who drive SUVs, as it may be difficult to lift a bike off and on. There's also the risk of hitting a low structure with your bike - you need to be wary of multistorey car parks and car parks with height barriers.

Recent updates

Last updated on 07th of July 2025

Products were checked to ensure they are still up to date and available, the SeaSucker Talon was added as an option for people who don't have roof rails. Pros and Cons were added for all the products to explain strengths and weaknesses of the products in the guide.

Josh Ross

Josh hails from the Pacific Northwest of the United States but would prefer riding through the desert than the rain. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but also has an understanding that most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn't care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset the answer will be yes. Height: 5'9" Weight: 140 lb. Rides: Salsa Warbird, Cannondale CAAD9, Enve Melee, Look 795 Blade RS, Priority Continuum Onyx

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